TX GOVT 2306, Chap. 7, Homework, Prof. Clark, DMC

Complete the following statement. Texas representatives receive an annual salary of $7,200 and a per diem of $190 when the legislature is in session. $2,500 $168 $7,200 $190 $3,200 $150

$7,200, $190

Match the type of bill to its best definition. 1. gives an individual or corporation a special exemption from state law 2. a proposed law that has been sponsored by a member of the legislature and submitted to the clerk of the House or Senate 3. affects only units of local government, such as a city, county, or special district

1. special bill 2. bill 3. local bill

Complete the following statement. Conference committees have ___ members: ___ members from the House appointed by the Speaker and ___ members from the Senate appointed by the lieutenant governor. 10 11 6 5 4

10,5,5

Watch the animation on the demographics of the Texas legislature and determine which of the following statements are accurate.

Correct Answer(s) About half of all Texans are women, but only one-quarter of Texas legislators are women. Compared to the Senate, the Texas House is better at reflecting the racial diversity of Texas. The majority of legislators in both the House and Senate either have business or legal backgrounds. Incorrect Answer(s) The number of Latino representatives is nearly equal in proportion to the number of Texans who are Latino.

Which of the following do standing committees do in the Texas legislature?

Correct Answer(s) In the Senate, they accept bills referred to them by the lieutenant governor. They review, hold hearings on, and amend bills to make them more acceptable to the entire legislature. In the House, they accept bills referred to them by the Speaker. Incorrect Answer(s) They ensure that every bill submitted is brought to a vote before the full House or Senate. They determine the schedule for a bill's debate.

Former governor Rick Perry campaigned for president on the idea of adapting the Texas model to the U.S. Congress, arguing that the Founders intended a "citizen" Congress similar to the one in Texas. Critics argue that the Texas model should not be adopted because of which of the following?

Correct Answer(s) Legislators are not any less prone to corruption within a part-time legislature than within a full-time legislature. The legislative session is rushed, and legislators rely too heavily on staff who work year-round. The rush of completing the legislation necessary to govern leaves important issues unresolved. Incorrect Answer(s) Part-time legislatures do not face enough pressure from their constituents.

Watch the animation about the composition of the legislatures in five major states, and determine which of the following statements are accurate. (See graphic for question #5)

Correct Answer(s) Like the legislatures of other states discussed, black and Latino Texans are underrepresented in the Texas legislature. The majority of lawmakers in Texas have a graduate degree. Incorrect Answer(s) Unlike the legislatures of other states discussed, Texas is unusual in having a legislature with far more men than women.

Study the graph, and decide which claims are accurate.

Correct Answer(s) Texas has fewer women in the legislature than other states have. Texas has more Latino representatives than any of the other states shown here. Incorrect Answer(s) Texas has more African Americans representatives than any of the other states shown here. Texas has fewer legislators with graduate degrees than other states have.

Which of the following do critics argue are the effects of Texas part-time legislature's biennial 140-day session?

Correct Answer(s) The low pay for legislators means they must keep outside jobs while in office. A biennial session was better suited to Texas's agricultural past, not to its urbanized present. The short sessions prevent the legislature from responding in a timely fashion to breaking issues. Incorrect Answer(s) It requires too many formal qualifications to be a member.

In which of the following ways can the media influence the legislature?

Correct Answer(s) They can help set the legislative agenda by focusing on certain stories. They can help constituents learn more about actions by the legislature. Social media let legislators communicate directly to their constituents. Incorrect Answer(s) Their consistently upbeat coverage gives Texans a more positive opinion of the legislature.

Texas legislators and the governor have direct involvement in the lawmaking process, but which of the following players are involved indirectly?

Correct Answer(s) interest groups the public the media Incorrect Answer(s) the comptroller of public accounts

The five members of the Legislative Redistricting Board include which of the following? the Speaker of the House the commissioner of the General Land Office the secretary of state the lieutenant governor the president pro tempore the attorney general the comptroller of public accounts

Correct Answer(s) the Speaker of the House the commissioner of the General Land Office the lieutenant governor the attorney general the comptroller of public accounts Incorrect Answer(s) the president pro tempore the secretary of state

Which two officials wield the most legislative power in the Texas legislature?

Correct Answer(s) the Speaker of the House the lieutenant governor Incorrect Answer(s) the attorney general the comptroller of public accounts the governor

True or False: Bicameralism makes it less difficult for the Texas legislature to pass laws. Because a bill has to pass both the Texas House and Texas Senate, which serve different constituencies, it is possible for a bill to pass one chamber but not the other. This makes it more difficult to pass laws.

False

Looking closely at the chart below, which statement about females in the Texas House of Representatives is correct?

Women have a higher percentage of representation in the state Senate than in the state House.

Which method to delay and maybe kill a legislative measure can be used only in the Senate? pigeonholing low placement on the calendar filibuster assigning a bill to an unfriendly standing committee

filibuster

Which of the following is the power of the executive to veto specific provisions of an appropriations bill passed by the legislature? veto post-adjournment veto line-item veto pocket veto

line-item veto

The judicial power of the legislature is an example of which kind of institutional power? Click or tap a choice to answer the question. legislative power power to persuade non-legislative power executive power

non-legislative power

Match each characteristic of the Texas legislature with its best definition. occurs every two years composed of two chambers or houses a legislative session called by the governor that addresses an agenda set by him or her a 140-day period occurring only in odd-numbered years

occurs every two years - biennial composed of two chambers or houses - bicameral a legislative session called by the governor that addresses an agenda set by him or her - special session a 140-day period occurring only in odd-numbered years - regular session

All Texas legislators represent which type of electoral districts? proportional electoral districts at-large districts single-member districts multimember districts

single-member districts